Lie Lie Lie

Album: Joshua Bassett (2021)
Charted: 98 125
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Joshua Bassett is an actor best known for playing Ricky Bowen on Disney's High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Bassett is also a singer and guitarist who signed a recording contract with Warner Records in 2020. "Lie Lie Lie" is the lead single from his debut EP.
  • Bassett wrote this song after he found a friend had been spreading falsehoods about him behind his back.

    I know what you say about me
    I hope that it makes you happy
    You can't seem to get me off your mind


    Bassett was already aware that his friend was a habitual liar.

    I know you're lying through your teeth
    You told them the lies that you told me
    I've had enough of it this time


    The singer is cutting this two-faced person out of his life. He explained: "It always sucks to hear that someone you thought you could trust would throw you under the bus when it benefits them. It happens to all of us, and I think all you can do is seek out people that build you up rather than tear you down."
  • Joshua Bassett is rumored to have dated his fellow HSM star Olivia Rodrigo during the filming of the show in 2019 before splitting in early 2020. When Rodrigo released the breakup song "Drivers License" on January 8, 2021, many fans thought it was about her relationship with Bassett. After Bassett dropped this song a week later, many figured this song is his retort.

    Though Bassett is the speculated muse behind "Drivers License," he could not have written "Lie, Lie, Lie" in response. Back on November 7, 2019, he posted on Instragram him singing an early version of the song, then titled "I Know (Lie Lie Lie)." A few months later, on April 25, 2020, the actor posted a guitar version on his official TikTok account. Rumors of Bassett and Rodrigo's alleged breakup didn't surface until mid-2020, months after he wrote the song.
  • So who is the person that betrayed Bassett? Though the singer doesn't name names, based on his use of the word "darling," he seems to be addressing a woman:

    You've been lying to yourself
    Lie to everyone else
    Only thinking 'bout yourself
    Darling, what the hell?
  • Joshua Bassett wrote the song himself with the help of Afterhrs. The production duo of Afterhrs, comprising Ian Franzino and Andrew Haas, are best known for their work with One Direction.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."